South Korean Investigators Target Unification Church Leaders in Bribery Probes
South Korean investigators seek an arrest warrant for Unification Church leader Hak Ja Han, arresting others in probes targeting bribery and stock manipulation allegations.
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Overview
- South Korean investigators are actively pursuing an arrest warrant for Hak Ja Han, the 82-year-old leader and widow of the Unification Church's founder, Sun Myung Moon.
- Another Unification Church leader, Kim, has been arrested and charged with bribery, stock manipulation, and meddling in legislative candidate selection, though he denies bribing a former first lady.
- Lawmaker Kweon Seong-dong, a loyalist of President Yoon, was also arrested this week on accusations of receiving illicit money from the Unification Church.
- These actions are part of three special prosecutor probes targeting Yoon's presidency, with one specifically focused on the Unification Church leader Kim.
- Both Hak Ja Han and the Unification Church leader Kim have publicly denied all allegations of bribery and other related charges brought against them by investigators.
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Analysis
Center-leaning sources cover this story neutrally, focusing on factual reporting of the ongoing investigation into the Unification Church leader and former first lady. They present allegations alongside denials from all involved parties, providing balanced context without employing loaded language or selective emphasis. The coverage details legal proceedings and political background, allowing readers to form their own conclusions.
"The Unification Church criticized the investigators’ attempt to arrest Han, insisting that she does not pose a flight risk or a threat of destroying evidence, and has cooperated with the probe even while recovering from a heart procedure this month."
ABC News"The Unification Church criticized the investigators’ attempt to arrest Han, insisting that she does not pose a flight risk or a threat of destroying evidence, and has cooperated with the probe even while recovering from a heart procedure this month."
Associated Press"The leader of the controversial Unification Church has denied allegations that her organisation bribed South Korea's former first lady with luxury gifts in exchange for business favours."
BBC NewsArticles (3)
FAQ
Hak Ja Han is the 82-year-old leader and widow of the Unification Church's founder, Sun Myung Moon. She is often referred to by followers as the 'True Mother' and leads the religious movement initiated by her late husband.
The investigations focus on allegations of bribery, stock manipulation, and attempts to influence legislative candidate selection. The Unification Church leaders, including Hak Ja Han and another leader named Kim, are accused of orchestrating bribes to former First Lady Kim Keon Hee and a conservative lawmaker, Kweon Seong-dong, to secure political and business favors.
The investigations are part of three special prosecutor probes targeting alleged bribery and corruption related to former President Yoon's presidency. Among those arrested or investigated are loyalists of Yoon, including lawmaker Kweon Seong-dong and his wife, former First Lady Kim Keon Hee, both accused of receiving illicit money or gifts from the church.
Both Hak Ja Han and the Unification Church leader Kim have publicly denied the allegations of bribery, stock manipulation, and other charges, asserting that the accusations are unfounded and that any improper actions were not directed by the church leadership.
South Korean investigators have actively pursued arrest warrants, including seeking one for Hak Ja Han. Another church leader, Kim, has been arrested and charged with bribery and other offenses. Lawmaker Kweon Seong-dong was also arrested on accusations of accepting illicit money from the church. These actions represent a significant crackdown by special prosecutors in their probes into the Unification Church's alleged misconduct.
History
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